Republicans Prepare For Democratic Stalling Tactics

Sen Patrick and his fellow Republicans are vowing to do everything in their power to clear the controversial abortion bill.

State of Texas

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services begins debate on the abortion bill this Monday at the state capitol and Republicans are preparing for anything the Democrats throw at them.

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, estimates the bill will take about two weeks to get passed and said he doesn't see Democrats using a "nuclear option" and leaving the state ahead of a final vote on the abortion bill.

"I can’t imagine that they would for this reason. All of the members have been here now six full months -- they have families at home, businesses at home -- this has been a long session. It’s hard for me to imagine they would want to go to an other state for months at a time," Patrick said.

Senate Democrats have indicated they plan to introduced a measure that would allow lawmakers to take a committee hearing on the abortion issue on the road to allow all areas of the state to weigh in on the debate, much like what happened during battle for redistricting.

Of the 95 Republicans in the Texas House only Rep. Sarah Davis, R-Houston, has vowed to vote against the House abortion bill coming up for a vote this week.

"The kicker in the bill was the part that required any physicians performing an abortion to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic," Davis said. "The Texas Hospital Association has made it clear and testified last night that the hospitals would not actually credential any physicians in that manner, so the bill will effectively end all abortions in the state of Texas."